In late October Aggregates Manager reported that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) was facing a tough decision over a mine expansion. MnDOT was being has to act quickly in coming up with a solution to reroute a busy four-lane highway.
At the time, we reported on of MnDOT’s options was to build one of the state’s tallest bridges over some of the hardest rock on the planet. After much consideration, that’s the route MnDOT has decided to go.
The project is expected to cost about $220 million.
Despite the idea of building a 200-foot-high, 1,100-foot-long bridge, MnDOT says the route poses fewer challenges and had the lowest cost of all alternatives.
“From an engineering and cost point-of-view, this route stands out,” MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle said in a statement encouraging public comment. Public meetings are scheduled in Virginia for Dec. 4 and Jan. 1.
